From Nebraska to Chicago to … Oklahoma?! Prepare For Brutal Cold In These Cities

By Evan Comen  •  February 19, 2025
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This week, a severe cold front is forecast to sweep through the middle of the country, bringing sub-10°F weather to dozens of major cities and setting record lows in regions. More than 800 counties have been issued extreme cold warnings from the National Weather Service, representing 11% of the U.S. population.

 

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Temperatures in Chicago are forecast to reach nearly 0°F, while minimums in cities like St. Paul and Minneapolis and to the northwest will fall below -10°F. And while the Midwest will bear the worst of the week’s freezing temperatures, the cold front will reach as far as Texas, where cities like Lubbock and Abilene are projected to experience overnight temperatures below 10°F. A closer look at the forecast reveals the major cities that will experience dangerously low temperatures this week.

 

To determine the cities that will see the worst of this week’s cold front, Climate Crisis 247 reviewed data on 72-hour temperature minimum forecasts from the NOAA. Cities with at least 250,000 residents were ranked based on minimum forecast overnight temperature for February 18 to 20, 2025. Supplemental data on normal February minimums for the years 1901 to 2000 are from the NOAA and are at the county level. Population data is from the U.S. Census Bureau.

15. St. Louis, MO

Photo by Tom Fisk on Pexels

  • Forecast minimum temperature, February 18 to 20: 1.1°F
  • Normal February minimum, 1901-2000: 25.2°F
  • Total population: 298,018
 

14. Denver, CO

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels

  • Forecast minimum temperature, February 18 to 20: 1.1°F
  • Normal February minimum, 1901-2000: 18.5°F
  • Total population: 710,800
 

13. Detroit, MI

Photo by Anon on Pexels

  • Forecast minimum temperature, February 18 to 20: 1.0°F
  • Normal February minimum, 1901-2000: 16.9°F
  • Total population: 636,787
 

12. Aurora, CO

Photo by Martin Alargent on Pexels

  • Forecast minimum temperature, February 18 to 20: 0.7°F
  • Normal February minimum, 1901-2000: 16.5°F
  • Total population: 387,349
 

11. Oklahoma City, OK

Photo by Tom Fisk on Pexels

  • Forecast minimum temperature, February 18 to 20: 0.6°F
  • Normal February minimum, 1901-2000: 29.8°F
  • Total population: 681,088
 

10. Chicago, IL

Photo by Samuel Traxler on Pexels

  • Forecast minimum temperature, February 18 to 20: -0.5°F
  • Normal February minimum, 1901-2000: 18.1°F
  • Total population: 2,721,914
 

9. Tulsa, OK

Photo by Tom Fisk on Pexels

  • Forecast minimum temperature, February 18 to 20: -1.9°F
  • Normal February minimum, 1901-2000: 29.8°F
  • Total population: 411,938
 

8. Milwaukee, WI

Photo by _ Whittington on Pexels

  • Forecast minimum temperature, February 18 to 20: -7.8°F
  • Normal February minimum, 1901-2000: 14.5°F
  • Total population: 573,299
 

7. Wichita, KS

Photo by Jordan Benton on Pexels

  • Forecast minimum temperature, February 18 to 20: -8.5°F
  • Normal February minimum, 1901-2000: 23.9°F
  • Total population: 395,951
 

6. Kansas City, MO

Photo by David Dibert on Pexels

  • Forecast minimum temperature, February 18 to 20: -10.8°F
  • Normal February minimum, 1901-2000: 22.1°F
  • Total population: 505,958
 

5. Madison, WI

Photo by Tom Fisk on Pexels

  • Forecast minimum temperature, February 18 to 20: -12.6°F
  • Normal February minimum, 1901-2000: 11.2°F
  • Total population: 268,516
 

4. Omaha, NE

Photo by David Kanigan on Pexels

  • Forecast minimum temperature, February 18 to 20: -17.0°F
  • Normal February minimum, 1901-2000: 15.9°F
  • Total population: 489,201
 

3. St. Paul, MN

Photo by Frank Cone on Pexels

  • Forecast minimum temperature, February 18 to 20: -18.6°F
  • Normal February minimum, 1901-2000: 6.6°F
  • Total population: 308,806
 

2. Minneapolis, MN

Photo by Josh Hild on Pexels

  • Forecast minimum temperature, February 18 to 20: -18.6°F
  • Normal February minimum, 1901-2000: 6.2°F
  • Total population: 426,877
 

1. Lincoln, NE

Photo by Tom Fisk on Pexels

  • Forecast minimum temperature, February 18 to 20: -19.4°F
  • Normal February minimum, 1901-2000: 16.8°F
  • Total population: 290,531
 

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